My doctor does not refrigerate the Botox bottle when it arrives in her office. At times, she has left it at room temperature for over a week.She has told me that it only needs to be refrigerated after it is reconstituted. I am having problems with it working. Does un-opened Botox need to be refrigerated?
My doctor does not refrigerate the Botox bottle?
- Asked
- 4 Jan 2011 by The Odie Factor
- Updated
- 12 Nov 2014
- Topics
- botox
Responses (3)
I realize this answer is very late ... according to the monographs Botox powder needs to be kept in the refrigerator. It also needs to be kept in the fridge after it is reconstituted, and the contents discarded after 4 hours, once reconstituted.
"Storage of Botox)
Parenteral
Powder for Injection (Botox and Botox Cosmetic)
2–8°C; do not use after expiration date marked on vial.
Following reconstitution in single-use vials with 0.9% sodium chloride injection without preservatives, store at 2–8°C and use within 4 hours. Do not freeze.
Vials may be reentered to treat the same patient within 4 hours of reconstitution; store at 2–8°C during this time.1 5 298 Discard any remaining solution.
Are they frozen or refrigerated?
Botox definately needs to be refrigerated before being reconstituted. The pharmacy where I purchased it said that it needed to be kept frozen, but the doctor office said that only refrigerated--for how long I don't know.
Your doctor is being negligent in not refrigerating it. And that explains why it isn't working for you. And judging by your doctor not knowing to refrigerate it, who knows what other areas your current doctor may not be knowledgeable in treating you. Get another doctor!!!
Get it from only from a reputable pharmacy if not from a decent doctor which yours is not. If you call around, you should be able to find one, if it makes the procedure less expensive. But your health insurance should cover it since the FDA approved it for migraines in Oct. 2010.
read below. this one of many studies...
PubMedSearchClick to search
Questioning the need to use Botox within 4 hours of reconstitution: a study of fresh vs 2-week-old Botox.
Authors
Yang GC1, Chiu RJ, Gillman GS.
Author information
Journal
Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2008 Jul-Aug;10(4):273-9. doi: 10.1001/archfaci.10.4.273.
Affiliation
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether injection with botulinum toxin type A (Botox; Allergan Inc, Irvine, California) reconstituted with preservative-free saline (0.9% isotonic sodium chloride) after 2-week cold storage in a refrigerator (4 degrees C) or freezer (-20 degrees C) is less efficacious than injection with freshly reconstituted Botox.

Further Information
- Botox Information for Consumers
- Botox Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Botox (detailed)
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar Questions
Does Botox Injections Help Migraines?
Posted 2 Aug 2013 • 5 answers
Usually refrigerate liquid bottle of methotrexate. It was at room temp for 24 hrs. and then in very?
Posted 25 Apr 2014 • 1 answer
Can you use Botox to treat ptosis (droopy eyelid of left eye)? My doctor injected a small dose on my
Posted 21 Mar 2015 • 1 answer
Botox - Any dangers? Having procedure soon?
Posted 26 Jun 2015 • 4 answers
My aunt is 87 and wants to use the botox to stop the accidents she has?
Posted 8 Mar 2016 • 2 answers
Absolutely right!
contrary to popular believe new studies have indicated that there is no need to refrigerate un-reconstituted botox. however, reconstituted botox needs to be refrigerated. additionally, efficacy of re-constituted botox is still effective up 6 months of reconstitution. thus discarding after 4 hours will be a waste.